Double hanging container

ABSTRACT

A container  20  molded of a thin-walled plastic with bottom  22 , back, front and side walls  24,26,28  includes a hook  30  of a constant thickness. A tab  32  is defined by a U-shaped slot  34  in the back wall  24  and has a thickness equal to the thickness of the hook  30 . The hook  30  presents a semi-circular interior defined by a hook radius  36  having a center  38  that is disposed in a central plane  40  disposed equally between the side walls  28 . The slot  34  has a small radius  42  and a large outer radius  44  and the hook radius  36  is closer in dimension to the large radius  44  than to the small radius  42  whereby the hook  30  of one container may be hung from the tab  32  of another like container.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

A container having a hook for hanging from a support.

2. Description of the Prior Art

The containers of the type to which the subject invention pertains typically include a bottom, a back wall, front and side walls extending upwardly from the bottom. It is also well known to include a hook extending upwardly from the back wall for hanging a container, shelf, or the like, from a support, as in a shower caddy, as shown in U.S. Des. Pat. No. 371,830.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION AND ADVANTAGES

The invention provides for a tab in the back wall of such a container for receiving the hook of a like container or any other item.

Accordingly, the container of the instant invention may be nestled with like containers for shipment and storage while facilitating hanging one upon another.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Other advantages of the present invention will be readily appreciated, as the same becomes better understood by reference to the following detailed description when considered in connection with the accompanying drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is perspective view of a container constructed in accordance with the subject invention;

FIG. 2 is a front view of the container shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a rear view of the container shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is side view of the container shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a rear view of two of the containers with one hanging from the other; and

FIG. 6 is a side view of the two containers shown in FIG. 5.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

A container is shown generally at 20 and comprises a bottom 22, a back wall 24 extending upwardly from the bottom 22, a front wall 26 and spaced side or end walls 24, 26, 28 extending upwardly from the bottom 22. The side walls 28 are identical but are mirror images of one another and are smaller in width than the back wall 24 and front wall 26.

A hook 30 extends upwardly from the back wall 24 for hanging the container 20 and the container 20 is characterized by a tab 32 in the back wall 24 for receiving the hook 30 of a like container 20. However, it should be understood that the invention is not limited to receiving only the hook 30 of a like container 20 as the tab 32 in the back wall 24 can be used to receive any item capable being received by the tab 32.

The container 20 is molded of plastic as an integral unit whereby the bottom 22 and the walls 24, 26, 28 and the hook 30 comprise a thin-walled plastic, i.e., a constant wall 24, 26, 28 thickness shown in the thickness of the hook 30 in FIG. 4. However, it should be understood that the container 20 could also be formed from a material other than plastic. The tab 32 has a thickness and the hook 30 has a thickness equal to the thickness of the tab 32. The tab 32 is defined by a U-shaped slot 34 in the back wall 24. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the hook 30 presents a semi-circular interior defined by a hook radius 36 having a center 38 that is disposed in a central plane 40 disposed equally between the side walls 28. The slot 34 has a small radius 42 and a large outer radius 44 and the hook radius 36 is closer in dimension to the large radius 44 than to the small radius 42.

The back wall 24 has an upper edge 46 and the hook 30 extends upwardly from the upper edge 46 at a position closer to one of the side walls 28 than the other of the side walls 28. The back wall 24 includes a shoulder 48 extending upwardly from the upper edge 46 under the hook radius 36 and through the central plane 40.

Obviously, many modifications and variations of the present invention are possible in light of the above teachings. The invention may be practiced otherwise than as specifically described within the scope of the appended claims, wherein that which is prior art is antecedent to the novelty set forth in the “characterized by” clause. The novelty is meant to be particularly and distinctly recited in the “characterized by” clause whereas the antecedent recitations merely set forth the old and well-known combination in which the invention resides. These antecedent recitations should be interpreted to cover any combination in which the incentive novelty exercises its utility. In addition, the reference numerals in the claims are merely for convenience and are not to be read in any way as limiting. 

1. A container (20) comprising; a bottom (22), a back wall (24) extending upwardly from said bottom (22), front (26) and side walls (28) extending upwardly from said bottom (22), a hook (30) extending upwardly from said back wall (24) for hanging said container (20), and characterized by a tab (32) in said back wall (24) for receiving the hook (30) of an item.
 2. A container (20) as set forth in claim 1 wherein said bottom (22) and said walls (24,26,28) and said hook (30) comprise a thin-walled plastic.
 3. A container (20) as set forth in claim 1 wherein said tab (32) is defined by a U-shaped slot (34) in said back wall (24).
 4. A container (20) as set forth in claim 3 wherein said hook (30) presents a semi-circular interior defining a hook radius (36) having a center (38) that is disposed in a central plane (40) equally between said side walls (28).
 5. A container (20) as set forth in claim 4 wherein said slot (34) has a large radius (44) and a small radius (42) and said hook radius (36) is closer in dimension to said large radius (44) than to said small radius (42).
 6. A container (20) as set forth in claim 5 wherein said tab (32) has a thickness and said hook (30) has a thickness equal to the thickness of said tab (32).
 7. A container (20) as set forth in claim 6 wherein said back wall (24) has an upper edge (46) and said hook (30) extends upwardly from said upper edge (46) closer to one of said side walls (28) than the other of said side walls (28).
 8. A container (20) as set forth in claim 7 wherein said back wall (24) includes a shoulder (48) extending upwardly from said upper edge (46) under said hook radius (36) and through said central plane (40). 